That's the view of one Clogher Valley resident who told the TYRONE TIMES the town of Aughnacloy, is, in his opinion, not the safe place it once was.
The man, who didn't want to be identified, claims the complement of local police officers, which has been slashed over recent years from a total of 48 to just 4, has left the community feeling vulnerable and isolated against the threat of terrorism and low level anti social behaviour.

Confidence

And plans recently announced by F District police supremo Chief Superintendent Michael Skuce, outlining proposals to downsize the existing station in Aughnacloy, have done little to bolster confidence.
The man said he felt he had to speak out following a recent late night incident in the town when he endeavoured to get a police response, but failed.
Recalling the episode he said he'd contacted Aughnacloy station late one night when drunken youths began creating a disturbance in the Lisadavil Park area.
Having received an answer machine message from that station he was automatically transferred through another three different PSNI stations until he was connected to the barracks in Armagh.
When he eventually spoke to an officer and explained the situation he was told there was 'no one available' to deal with the disturbance.
"They didn't even know where I was from", the man said.
"And I know it's not really their fault. There's just no policing whatsoever", he noted.

Situation

He spoke of the problems residents in Aughnacloy face at present – the 'boy racers', vandalism, the drunken, yobbish behaviour which is forcing families from the streets and into the safety of their own homes.
"People have a habit of blaming foreign nationals for what's happening in towns like ours", he said.
'But it's not them. It's people who have always lived here are causing the problem.
"The only visible sign of law enforcement we have is traffic wardens. Aughnacloy used to be a lovely place to live. I've been here for nearly 30 years. It's not peaceful any more."




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